Characteristics of study participants: French and Italian Caucasian patients with SSc.
| Characteristics | SSc Patients from France (n = 585) | SSc Patients from Italy (n = 547) | p | Combined population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sex (women/men) | 498/87 | 491/56 | 0.06 | 989/143 |
| Age (yrs), mean ± SD | 57 ± 14 | 63 ± 14 | < 0.0001 | 60 ± 14 |
| Cutaneous subtype (L/D), n (%) | 394 (67)/191 (33) | 411 (75)/136 (25) | 0.004 | 805 (71)/327 (29) |
| Disease duration (yrs), mean ± SD | 11 ± 9 | 13 ± 8 | < 0.0001 | 12 ± 8 |
| History of digital ulcers, n (%) | 224 (38) | 193 (35) | 0.32 | 417 (37) |
| Pulmonary arterial hypertension, n (%) | 45 (8) | 74 (13.5) | 0.001 | 119 (11) |
| Pulmonary fibrosis on CT scan, n (%) | 220 (38) | 175 (32) | 0.04 | 395 (35) |
| Scleroderma renal crisis, n (%) | 9 (1) | 10 (2) | 0.25 | 19 (2) |
| Antinuclear antibodies (> 1/160), n (%) | 503 (86) | 543 (99) | < 0.0001 | 1046 (92) |
| Antitopoisomerase I antibodies, n (%) | 149 (25) | 136 (24) | 0.75 | 285 (25) |
| Anticentromere antibodies, n (%) | 193 (33) | 276 (50) | < 0.0001 | 469 (41) |
| Anti-RNP antibodies | 31 (5) | 13 (2) | 0.01 | 44 (4) |
| Decreased FVC (< 75% of normal value), n (%) | 80 (13) | 86 (16) | 0.18 | 166 (15) |
| Decreased DLCO/AV (< 75% normal value), n (%) | 189 (32) | 284 (52) | < 0.0001 | 473 (42) |
| Immunosuppressive drugs, n (%) | 141 (24) | 131 (24) | 0.94 | 272 (24) |
SSc: systemic sclerosis; L/D: limited/diffuse; CT: computed tomography; RNP: ribonucleoprotein; FVC: forced vital capacity; DLCO/AV: carbon monoxide diffusion capacity divided by alveolar volume.